Since I’m intolerant to peanuts and gluten-free, sometimes it can be difficult to find delicious granola bars that don’t cost too much. I like to make these, wrap them in parchment paper to store in my freezer, then grab them to go. They are an especially satisfying pregnancy treat these days, as I am 28 weeks along and want to eat a LOT. Sometimes I need a craving fix QUICK! And these are just that–no fuss, no bake, filling deliciousness.
(If you make them and are sensitive to gluten, please remember that unless marked “gluten free” on the bag, oats are not automatically gluten free because they may have been harvested near other grains, etc. )

No Bake Granola Bar Recipe

1 cup sunflower seed butter (tastes like PB without the peanuts!!)

2/3 cup honey (I like to get Costco’s raw honey for a great price and extra health benefits.)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2½ cups whole rolled oats

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (Use enjoy life for soy-free; I sub dried cranberries for myself)

⅓ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened is best)

Parchment or wax paper for rolling out and wrapping

Mix your dry ingredients first, then add the wet. Fold everything together with a sturdy spoon. It may take a bit for everything to stick together, but don’t worry! It will come together. Pour out onto parchment paper or wax paper in a log shape, then fold the paper over and smash flat or roll out with a rolling pin into a rectangle the length of the size of bars you want. Freeze for a bit to make easier to cut, then use a sturdy knife to slice into 1″x4″ or so bars. If you want them to be more like store-bought, sprinkle with rice flour to make them easier to handle. Cut wax paper or parchment paper into 3″x 6″ size wrappers and wrap the bars for storing in an airtight container in the freezer. I send these to school with my kids in their lunch box for their afternoon snack time, and they LOVE them too! It’s hard for me to stop at just one! You could also make these into energy ball bites, coating with rice flour and storing in a container in the fridge.